Star, Neptune clash in Cup rehearsal
Coach Martin Aherne was pleased with Neptune’s visit to the INEC in Killarney on Wednesday night, when they collected their first Super League points with a 14-point win over Gleneagle Lakers.
“It was a bit scrappy but it was good to get the win,” Aherne said.
“You never know what to expect from your first game but I was happy,” he said.
Aherne, who took over as coach midway through last season, said he was looking forward to Sunday afternoon’s tie.
“It gives us a chance to have a look at each other and it is important for us to have the game at home,” he said.
“Star have a strong side, with John Leahy as a bosman. He played with Stephen McCarthy at Manchester Giants last season.”
McCarthy is happily reinstated with his old club this season and provides Aherne with an indispensable fulcrum.
A defeat at the hands of St Vincent’s earlier this week showed all was not well in the Dart Killester camp.
Jonathon Grennell delivered a huge blow to coach Mark Ingle last week with the announcement of a year’s break from Super League action.
Killester struggled without their playmaker on Tuesday night. Australian Hugh Wardrope will be out of action for several weeks after tearing shoulder ligaments in the Vincent’s clash. Irish international Damien Sealy’s lingering knee injury, and a thigh injury to Howard Jackson, mean that a double-header weekend could not have come at a worse time for Killester.
With three games to play in five days, Gleneagle Lakers are struggling for players for their clash with Tolka Rovers on Saturday night. Since the pre-season Neptune tournament, coach Billy Hungrecker has lost two of his starting five. International squad member Michael Bree signed a late contract in France, while Brian Clarke injured an ankle against Neptune.
They will have to make a quick trip back from Dublin to play Killester at home on Sunday afternoon. Killester play Frosties Tigers in Tralee on Saturday night.
Frosties Tigers will be anxious to overcome their one-point defeat to Star of the Sea last weekend, but will be without Michael Quirke again due to his commitments to the Kerry county football final.
After a win and a loss, Irish Travel Partner Saints have replaced Arturo McLoud with 6’10” Tim Welch. Welch comes from Boston’s Sacred Heart University and should be a much-needed boost for the Dublin side. John Kelliher is doubtful for the game, while Waterford’s Andrew Piper is struggling with an ankle injury.
Mardyke UCC Demons gave coach Pat Price the perfect start with a 30-point victory over Tolka Rovers last weekend and they are away to BurgerKing Limerick on Saturday.
Shane Coughlan played against Tolka but is still struggling with a finger injury, while Damien Kennedy will be out of action for a few weeks with an ankle injury.
A question mark hangs over the fitness of Limerick’s Neill Campbell, but coach Tom Hehir hopes to have him available as they bid to put behind them last weekend’s defeat by Notre Dame.
In the women’s Superleague, St Paul’s will look to continue their success after a momentous victory over title-holders Tolka Rovers last weekend. American Sarah Cartmill continues to struggle with a groin injury, but played last weekend and notched up 11 points for the Killarney women. St Paul’s are away this weekend to Glanmire, who are unlikely to have Donna Buckley and Sharon O’Neill.
All talk is around Waterford Wildcats’ latest addition, the 6’5” Martina Jerant. Towering above all players in the women’s Superleague, the former Canadian international will be untouchable under the boards. Waterford are away to a fully-fit Meteors squad.
Dart Killester will be without Alison Nolan and Emma Pierce for their home fixture against University of Limerick.
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